Advertisement
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080824/NYSU003-a )
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080824/NYSU003-b )
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080824/NYSU003-c )
Advertisement
"We hope that as the spotlight shines bright on Denver and Minneapolis-St.Paul during the next two weeks, we can show bikes as a pathway for healthybodies, healthy spirits and a healthier planet," said Jonathan Lord, M.D.,Humana's chief innovation officer.
Tim Blumenthal, executive director of Bikes Belong, added that, "The timeis right to highlight the bicycle as an ideal transportation solution. Nearly40 percent of all trips Americans make are two miles or less -- the perfectlength to go by bike. With soaring gas prices, interest in bicycling as a U.S.transportation solution has grown. This is a perfect opportunity todemonstrate the convenience of bicycling for short trips."
Dr. Julie Gerberding, Director of the Centers for Disease Control, alsospoke highly of the Freewheelin initiative.
"Biking is fun, and this innovative program from Humana and Bikes Belongprovides an excellent way for people to exercise, and we all know exercise iscritical to protecting one's health. I encourage everyone planning to attendthe conventions to strap on a helmet and safely pedal their way to good healthduring their stay in Denver or Minneapolis-St. Paul."
Bike-sharing is the international social movement whereby bikes aresituated at designated stations throughout cities for individuals to use for aspecified amount of time. It is a viable transportation alternative for thosewho prefer an environmentally friendly, cost-effective and healthy means oftraveling, especially for short trips. By providing these bikes to theDemocratic and Republican convention cities, Humana and Bikes Belong hope toincrease awareness of bicycling in the minds of all involved with theconventions -- from the delegates to the media to even the presidentialcandidates themselves.
After its debut in Denver, Freewheelin moves on to the Republican NationalConvention in Minneapolis-St. Paul, where Humana and Bikes Belong also willprovide 1,000 bikes for free use. In total, Bikes Belong member companiesprovided more than $500,000 worth of biking equipment to both conventioncities.
How Freewheelin Works
Bikes will be available in Denver from Aug. 25-28; and in Minneapolis-St.Paul for the Republican convention from Sept. 1-4. Participants who registerin advance via the Freewheelin Web site -- www.freewheelinwaytogo.com -- willbe ready to check out a bike from one of the multiple bike stations throughoutthe convention cities. Online registration and use of the bikes during theconventions is free, with all related costs paid by Humana and Bikes Belong.Bikes will be available beginning at 7 a.m. each day of the conventions, anddon't have to be returned to a bike station until 7 p.m. each day. The bikescan be picked up and returned to any station (locations available at thefreewheelinwaytogo Web site).
Those interested in the program, but unable to register online, can alsoregister in person at any Freewheelin station. Greeters will be on site ateach bike station to assist with registration and route planning, and safetyspecialists will be available to answer que
